U.S. patent application number 14/302195 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-18 for in-vehicle multimedia unit with interface for portable device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Gareth CHENNELLS, Robert SPAHL.
Application Number | 20140368475 14/302195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52009707 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140368475 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SPAHL; Robert ; et
al. |
December 18, 2014 |
IN-VEHICLE MULTIMEDIA UNIT WITH INTERFACE FOR PORTABLE DEVICE
Abstract
An in-vehicle multimedia unit for a motor vehicle having an
interface for a portable multimedia appliance (such as a
smartphone, MP3 player or tablet PC), wherein all the multimedia
functions and contents are provided solely by the portable
appliance. Also a method for providing multimedia functions and
content in a motor vehicle having an in-vehicle multimedia
unit.
Inventors: |
SPAHL; Robert; (Koeln,
DE) ; CHENNELLS; Gareth; (South Hanningfield,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52009707 |
Appl. No.: |
14/302195 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/184 ;
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0362 20130101;
G06F 3/02 20130101; H04B 5/0025 20130101; H04B 5/0031 20130101;
H04B 5/0037 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/184 ;
345/156 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/02 20060101
G06F003/02; H04B 5/00 20060101 H04B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 13, 2013 |
DE |
10 2013 211 019.7 |
Claims
1. An in-vehicle multimedia unit for a motor vehicle comprising an
interface for a portable multimedia appliance, wherein all
multimedia functions and contents are provided solely by the
portable multimedia appliance.
2. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, comprising interfaces
for output, input and/or power supply.
3. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein the
in-vehicle multimedia uses the display of the portable multimedia
appliance.
4. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein a single user
control is provided in the motor vehicle.
5. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 4, wherein the user
control is a rotary pushbutton.
6. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 4, wherein the user
control comprises illumination, the color of which can be
altered.
7. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein communication
with the portable multimedia appliance is initiated by means of a
near field communication interface.
8. The in-vehicle multimedia unit of claim 1, wherein communication
with the portable multimedia appliance is by means of a wireless
interface.
9. A method for providing multimedia functions and contents in a
motor vehicle having a in-vehicle multimedia unit, particularly a
in-vehicle multimedia unit of one of the preceding claims, wherein
all the multimedia functions and contents are provided solely by a
portable multimedia appliance, and the in-vehicle multimedia unit
is provided with an interface for the portable multimedia appliance
for the purpose of connecting the latter.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the in-vehicle multimedia unit
in the motor vehicle merely has interfaces for output, input and/or
power supply for the connected portable multimedia appliance.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the coupling of the in-vehicle
multimedia unit to the portable multimedia appliance is initiated
by means of near field communication interfaces.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2013 211 019.7 filed Jun. 13,
2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to an in-vehicle multimedia unit for a
motor vehicle having an interface for a portable multimedia
appliance, and to a corresponding method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is generally known that multimedia units in modern motor
vehicles now usually comprise not only the conventional radio but
also CD player functions, MP3 player functions, GPS or navigation
options, queue query and indication and also telephone access or
management and user control and a hands-free installation, weather
services etc. The user control elements of such multimedia units in
vehicles are usually becoming ever more complex and involved on
account of the increasing wealth of functions. A large number of
buttons, controls, switches and indicators and also displays are
required for user control.
[0004] In addition, there is a desire for technically simplified
and less expensive systems that allow the connection and
incorporation of external MP3 players, mobile telephones, etc.
[0005] DE 10 2004 048 119 A1 discloses a communication apparatus
for transmitting communication data within a vehicle, comprising a
reception device for receiving an input signal and an output device
for outputting a first output signal to an audio reproduction
device on the basis of the input signal, wherein a sensor device
can be used to detect a type for the input signal and wherein the
output device can be used to output a second output signal to the
audio reproduction device on the basis of the type of the input
signal. The communication apparatus in the form of a motor vehicle
hands-free installation allows the user to play back pieces of
music coming from the mobile telephone on the radio of the vehicle,
with the stereo quality of the music files being retained.
[0006] U.S. 2012/0172087 A1 discloses the practice of providing
vehicles with two separate units for the multimedia equipment. One
unit is permanently installed, but merely provides interfaces,
amplifiers and codecs, whereas the other, mobile and retrofittable
unit provides a processor, display, wireless communication means,
GPS, etc. The mobile retrofittable unit is connected to the first
unit, what is known as the service box, merely via a USB
interface.
SUMMARY
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide simplified user
control of a multimedia unit for a motor vehicle that is also
technically simple and inexpensive.
[0008] The invention has recognized that modern portable multimedia
appliances such as smartphones, MP3 players (iPod, etc.) or tablet
PC (iPad, etc.) already entail and provide every conceivable
function (MP3 player functions, radio streaming, GPS or navigation
options, including queue indication, queue query and indication and
also Internet, weather services, etc.) that would otherwise be
provided by a multimedia unit that is permanently installed in the
motor vehicle. Thus, the invention replaces the hitherto customary
installed appliance with the portable multimedia appliance carried
by a vehicle occupant and so already available. It is therefore
also possible for user control to be carried out primarily or
solely using the touch display of the portable multimedia
appliance.
[0009] The invention also relates to a corresponding method for
providing multimedia functions and contents in a motor vehicle
having an in-vehicle multimedia unit, wherein all the multimedia
functions and contents are provided solely by a portable multimedia
appliance, and the in-vehicle multimedia unit is provided with an
interface for the portable multimedia appliance for the purpose of
connecting the latter.
[0010] The audio output of the multimedia content being played is
produced using the motor vehicle loudspeakers. Inputs using a motor
vehicle microphone or special buttons/keys on the steering wheel
and possibly a push-to-talk key and/or the power supply can also
still be provided by the vehicle. The vehicle provides only basic
electronic interfaces to the loudspeakers and possibly microphone,
etc., via the in-vehicle multimedia unit itself.
[0011] By contrast, the multimedia functions and contents are
provided solely or just by the portable multimedia appliance,
however.
[0012] In the present case, portable digital multimedia appliances
such as smartphones, MP3 players or tablet PCs, which have the
capability of storing and reproducing multimedia contents
(particularly music and possibly navigation functions) and which
are able to output these via an interface, are considered to be
portable multimedia appliances. The appliances thus have user
control elements, possibly a display, particularly a touch display,
a memory and a processor, interfaces (e.g. USB, Bluetooth, WLAN)
and sensors and also a radio part (mobile radio, 3G, LTE, etc.) and
possibly further receivers (e.g. GPS receivers).
[0013] In particular, they are smartphones, that is to say mobile
telephones that provide more computer functionality and
connectivity than conventional advanced mobile telephones, which
have the function of a transportable media player, a digital and
video camera and a GPS navigation appliance, and are also equipped
with a high-resolution touch-sensitive screen and have Internet
capability.
[0014] In the present case, multimedia functions and contents are
understood to mean not only the obvious playback of music but also
both of stored and streamed music, navigation and map functions and
contents, including queue information and also weather information
and possibly telephone functions.
[0015] The concept extends to the in-vehicle multimedia unit using
the display of the portable multimedia appliance, that is to say
not comprising its own display in the vehicle or being permanently
installed. In that case, a bracket or dock to hold the portable
multimedia appliance may be provided at an appropriate location in
the vehicle.
[0016] Alternatively, a display coupled to the output of the
portable multimedia appliance may be provided, that is to say a
non-smart display that is controlled via the portable multimedia
appliance. In other words, the display is "unintelligent" and is
used by the portable multimedia appliance as an output display.
Hence, the dock (cf. above) can be dispensed with and a more
standard interface provided on the dashboard.
[0017] If desired the in-vehicle multimedia unit may provide a
single user control in the motor vehicle for controlling the music
functions. It makes sense for the user control to be a rotary
pushbutton. Preferably, it is used for volume adjustment (rotating
the button) and muting (pushing the button).
[0018] The user control may also comprise illumination, the color
of which can be altered, in particular, and which can thus indicate
the status of the in-vehicle multimedia unit. The color can thus be
used to indicate the coupling status (blue) and muting (red).
[0019] In addition, the standard keys and controls for telephone
functions (cf. above) may be provided in the vehicle, but the
"commands" for said telephone functions are passed to the portable
multimedia appliance.
[0020] In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling
between in-vehicle multimedia unit and the portable multimedia
appliance is initiated by means of NFC (Near Field Communication)
interfaces. In other words, after the control has been touched with
the portable multimedia appliance, NFC chips that are existent in
the appliances trigger the communication by the in-vehicle
multimedia unit with the portable multimedia appliance. This allows
the portable multimedia appliance to be loaded with a control app
(program) that automatically provides control of the in-vehicle
multimedia unit or provides multimedia functions and contents for
the vehicle, that is to say allows graphical user control of the
multimedia functions for the motor vehicle.
[0021] The actual (data) connection to the portable multimedia
appliance can be effected by means of wireless interfaces such as
Bluetooth.
[0022] The in-vehicle multimedia unit thus provides some of the
components of an audio system having an interface to the portable
multimedia appliance, but without a radio receiver, user control
elements and a display. The user is reliant on the portable
multimedia appliance for control except that the rotary/push
control described may be provided for volume control.
[0023] By touching the rotary/push control with the portable
multimedia appliance, the connection can be initiated automatically
when an NFC function is provided, which means that, by way of
example, the control app is loaded onto the portable multimedia
appliance and the coupling for data interchange is set up by means
of USB, Bluetooth etc., otherwise standard manual coupling is no
longer necessary.
[0024] The portable multimedia appliance thus may receive inputs
from the user control for the volume functions, from a motor
vehicle microphone, steering wheel keys and possible a push-to-talk
key. The audio or voice output is output via the motor vehicle
loudspeakers. The portable multimedia appliance may receive its
power supply from the vehicle, and/or it may be provided with an
antenna connection to the external vehicle antenna.
[0025] Further features and details of the invention can be found
in the description below of the single figure, in which,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an in-vehicle
multimedia unit installed a motor vehicle with a connected portable
multimedia appliance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are
not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or
minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis
for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
[0028] The Figure shows an in-vehicle multimedia unit, denoted as a
whole by 1. This is coupled to a portable multimedia appliance 2
that provides all the multimedia functions and contents on its own.
The portable multimedia appliance 2 may, for example, be a
smartphone, MP3 player, or tablet PC (personal computer).
[0029] The in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 is permanently installed in
the motor vehicle and comprises a central interface hub 3 that
provides a connection to loudspeakers 4 via appropriate interfaces
5 and amplifiers 6.
[0030] The in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 also comprises a power
supply 7, which is connected to the onboard battery 8, for
supplying power to the amplifiers 6 and uses the interface hub 3 to
provide a power supply, e.g. for the USB interface 10, so that the
latter can supply the portable appliance 2 with voltage 18 via the
USB interface 19 of the portable appliance 2.
[0031] Furthermore, the in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 comprises
interfaces 11, 12, 13, connected to the interface hub 3, for
connection respectively to a microphone 14 installed in the motor
vehicle, control buttons or keys 15 mounted on the steering wheel,
and a volume control 16, which increases or decreases the volume
when rotated and provides muting when pushed. These inputs are
passed to the connected portable appliance 2 by the interface hub
3.
[0032] The volume control 16 may also comprise a Near Field
Communication (NFC) module 28 for wireless communication with the
relevant module in the portable appliance 2.
[0033] Furthermore, the in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 comprises a
Bluetooth interface 17 that is connected to the interface hub 3 and
that can set up a Bluetooth wireless link 20 to the portable
appliance 2 via the Bluetooth module 21 of the latter for the
purpose of data interchange and command interchange.
[0034] The portable appliance 2 includes a microprocessor having a
memory 22 that is connected to the USB interface 19, to the
Bluetooth module 21 and via a controller 23 to a touch display 24.
In addition, the microprocessor 22 may be connected to a 3G mobile
radio module 25, to a GPS module 26, and/or to an NFC module
27.
[0035] The coupling between in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 and the
portable appliance 2 may be initiated by means of the NFC
interfaces or modules 27, 28.
[0036] To this end, the portable appliance 2 is touched to the
control 16. This contact triggers the communication by the
in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 with the smartphone via the NFC chips
that are existent in the appliances, as a result of which a control
app (program) that automatically provides control of the in-vehicle
multimedia unit 1 or provides the multimedia functions and contents
for the vehicle from the smartphone 2, that is to say allows
graphical user control of the multimedia functions for the motor
vehicle, is loaded by the vehicle or from another source, e.g. the
Internet, into the smartphone.
[0037] The actual (data) connection between smartphone 2 and
in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 is made by means of wireless Bluetooth
20 via the modules 17 and 21. Otherwise standard manual coupling,
including PIN input, etc., is no longer necessary.
[0038] The USB connection 18 may therefore by used only for the
supply of power to the portable device 2 from the vehicle
electrical system.
[0039] The in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 is thus essentially an
audio system having an interface 10, 17 to the portable multimedia
appliance, but without a radio function, user control elements and
a display.
[0040] The smartphone 2 thus provides all the MP3 player, radio
streaming, GPS and navigation options, including queue indication,
queue query and indication and also Internet services, weather
services functions. The user control can therefore also be carried
out using the existent touch display 24.
[0041] The audio output of the multimedia contents is produced
using the motor vehicle loudspeakers 4. Operator control input to
the multimedia unit 1 may be made using a microphone 14 and/or the
buttons/keys 15 on the steering wheel.
[0042] The in-vehicle multimedia unit 1 also uses the display 24 of
the smartphone for indication purposes; thus, there is no
requirement for a dedicated multimedia display to be permanently
installed in the vehicle.
[0043] The user control 16 may also comprise illumination, the
color of which may change to indicate the status of the in-vehicle
multimedia unit 1. For example, the color of the illumination of
user control 16 may be blue to indicate the coupling status and red
to indicate that the audio volume is muted.
[0044] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not
intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various
implementing embodiments may be combined to form further
embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *